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What to Do on a High School Senior Class Trip to NYC

New York City is the perfect destination to take a graduating class of high school seniors. It’s full of glitz and glam, as well as educational opportunities and shopping havens galore. Rounded up below are our top seven “must-dos” when it comes to visiting seniors, and we’re certain that every one of these activities will keep your high schoolers entertained for hours. Go on, take them on a trip they’ll never forget, as well as a trip that will inspire them to take on the world once they throw their caps.

Though they’ve been around for over 140 years, the model sailboats at Central Park’s Conservatory Water are still just as entrancing as they were nearly a century and a half ago. Sail the Park offers group rates on the boat rentals, as well as individual rentals for 30 minutes of play time. These remote controlled sailboats require no experience, and seniors may even pick up a few sailing tips from trying their hand at it. Conservatory Water in Central Park (near 5th Ave. and E. 74th St.), 917-522-0054, sailthepark.com

Best of NYC Senior Class Trips: Grand Bazaar NYC (Upper West Side)

No matter the season, the Grand Bazaar NYC is up and running. Over 100 vendors show up every Sunday selling everything from antiques and vintage collectibles to the latest trends in artisanal foods. Seniors can spend hours searching for hidden treasures at this historical flea market, and they’ll find some pretty awesome deals while they’re at it as well. After all, you can’t leave NYC without a souvenir! 100 W. 77th St., 212-239-3025, grandbazaarnyc.org

Best of NYC Senior Class Trips: Whitney Museum of American Art (West Village)

Even if they’re about to graduate from high school, that doesn’t mean that you can’t squeeze in a little education while they’re celebrating. NYC is known for having some of the greatest museums in the world, and The Whitney is definitely an institution that fits that bill. Filled with arguably the finest collection of twentieth century American art, this newly moved and redesigned museum should top any senior’s list when it comes to the city’s offerings. 99 Gansevoort St., 212-570-3600, whitney.org

Best of NYC Senior Class Trips: Statue Cruises (Battery Park)

Statue Cruises gives you a three-for-one deal, taking you on a scenic boat cruise that stops by both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Admission to Ellis Island National Immigration Museum is also part of this package, as well as ground, pedestal, or crown access to the Statue of Liberty. It’s hard to find a deal better than this one, and with both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island serving as important parts of America’s story, seniors will get to actually step foot on two pieces of history. Additional departure point from Liberty State Park, NJ. Battery Park, 877-523-9849, statuecruises.com

Best of NYC Senior Class Trips: Chelsea Piers (Chelsea)

Let your seniors get their energy out at Chelsea Piers, where there are over twenty-five different sports that they can participate in. From a sky rink and bowling center to soccer fields and basketball courts, there’s fun to be had here for every kind of athlete. Drop-in on a yoga class, take part in a pick-up game of sand volleyball, or give the rock wall a shot during an instructor-supervised open climb. The options here are limitless! 62 Chelsea Piers, 212-336-6666, chelseapiers.com

Best of NYC Senior Class Trips: School of Rock on Broadway (Theater District)

You can’t come to New York City and not see a show on Broadway. School of Rock, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hilarious and always entertaining musical, is the perfect show for a group of seniors that are on their way out of school and into the real world. The musical tells the story of a substitute teacher who discovers his students’ musical talents and enlists them to form a rock band that will conquer the competition at “Battle of the Bands.” Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. 1634 Broadway, 212-239-6200, broadway.com

Best of NYC Senior Class Trips: One World Observatory (Financial District)

One World Observatory is the latest observatory deck to come on the scene in Manhattan, and it’s certainly holding its own with both views and overall experience. Take your seniors up to the 100th floor Main Observatory for a view they will never forget. They can even take a break from looking out the windows and shift their sights downward while standing on top of the famed Sky Portal. 285 Fulton St., 866-731-3862, oneworldobservatory.com

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(2/7-2/13) Looking for what to do in New York? We've got the latest on all the goings-on in NYC, from concerts to museum exhibitions to comedy to the best in city sightseeing. Read on for our picks for the best of this week in New York City. click here